TOWNSPEOPLE’S MILK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 40, 13 June 1947, Page 5

TOWNSPEOPLE’S MILK

CAN HAVE THEIR CHOICE RAW OR PASTEURISED That it is the Government’s policy that consumers shall have the right of choice between raw or pasteurised milk was stated in a reply received by the Whakatane Borough Council from the Director of Milk Marketing.

It was also the considered opinion of the Government that it was desirable, as soon as was possible, that milk should be delivered to consumers in sealed containers.

The council as the controlling authority, added the letter, should make it clear to those supplying milk that they should give consumers the choice of having raw or pasteurised milk.

In co'mmenting on the Milk Marketing Department’s letter Cr W. Sullivan said he preferred raw milk to pasteurised milk. He had been brought up on raw milk and it did him no harm. The department’s letter had cleared up the point which he had brought up that consumers ought to have the choice of raw milk. The public ought to know that vendors must supply whichever kind of milk they are asked for.

Cr A. J. Canning quoted a report from the South Island that pasteurisation had been necessary in the United States because of the prevalence of disease in dairy herds. Disease was not so serious in herds supplying milk for town consumption in New Zealand. He thought the council should have nothing to do with taking over the business of milk treatment.

Cr Sullivan thought it would be better to attempt to stamp out disease in cows by increasing the number of veterinarians. There were 45,000 cows on the Rangitaiki and only two veterinarians. The sooner a veterinary school was established in New Zealand, the better. Young men should be able to complete their training in New Zealand instead of having to go to'Australia.